Madonna, BTS, and Bieber Make World Cup History
The first halftime show in World Cup final history arrives tonight — with Robert Smith already fuming.
Fame & Fortune Desk · July 19, 2026 · Based on reporting by Variety
Madonna, BTS, and Justin Bieber take the field tonight when Spain and Argentina's World Cup final debuts the first halftime show in tournament history. FIFA's producer promises an "action-packed 11 minutes" at what could be the most-viewed match of all time.
Not everyone is thrilled. On the eve of the show, the Cure's Robert Smith blasted the spectacle on social media, telling FIFA to "just f--- off," per Variety. The halftime experiment borrows a page from the Super Bowl playbook. With an A-list lineup and a global audience, all eyes are on whether the show lands. Or whether Smith's takedown becomes the night's most quoted moment.
